I

Authority

1.1. Sections 6.a (iii) and (x) of PD 857

1.2 Sections 7.03 and 7.04, Article VII of PPA Administrative Order No. 10-81.

II

Scope

2.1 This Memorandum Circular covers all cargo handling (CH) contractors/operators in government ports with valid CH contract.

2.2 It shall govern those who are operating on me basis of valid Hold-Over Authority (HOA) due to the expiration of their previous CH contract/permit.

III

Purpose

3.1 To ascertain that a round-the-clock CH services are being rendered by existing cargo handlers in concerned government ports; and

3.2 To ensure that CH contractors/operators meet the demands of shipping companies/agents for gang workers within the prescribed period of time upon receipt of notice/request for labor deployment.

IV

Specific Guidelines

4.1 CH contractors/operators shall maintain a 24-hour work schedule on a three (3) shift basis, as maybe necessary taking into account the schedule of arrival and departure of vessels.

4.2 In ports where accredited labor unions are present, CH contractors shall install appropriate coordination with the Union to ascertain that all requests for deployment of workers by shipping owners/representatives shall be met within one (1) hour from receipt of notice/request for gangs, in case of domestic vessels/boats and within twelve (12) hours in the case of foreign vessels.

4.3 In order to meet the normal operational requirements at all times, CH contractors/operators shall strictly observe the proper composition of men to a gang and shall provide as many gangs of workers as the particular situations demand. In no case, shall loading/unloading of cargoes be considered delayed due to unavailability of gang of workers at any given time except in cases of meritorious circumstances.

4.4 CH contractors/operators in less-busy-ports shall provide work schedule suitable to the arrival/departure of the vessels at the concerned ports.

4.5 All cargo handlers are required to submit an accomplished copy of shift/work schedule of their workers to the PMO Manager every 15th of the month.

V

Effectivity

This Circular shall take effect immediately.

For guidance and compliance.

Adopted: 5 Aug. 1996

(SGD.) CARLOS L. AGUSTIN
General Manager